Rangers Int’l Secure Late Win Over Bayelsa United in NPFL Clash.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International FC, bounced back from early struggles to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United FC in a rearranged Day-3 fixture of the 2024/25 season. The match, held on Thursday in Enugu, saw the Flying Antelopes overcome missed opportunities to secure all three points.
Despite dominating the first half, Rangers were plagued by poor finishing, leaving the game goalless at the break. Their frustrations were compounded in the second half when Chidozie Okorie missed a crucial penalty, keeping the scoreline level.
However, Isaac Saviour came to the rescue in the 75th minute. His close-range strike, just four minutes after Okorie’s missed spot-kick, gave the champions the lead they had been searching for. Saviour’s goal ultimately proved decisive, as Rangers held on to secure a much-needed win.
The victory saw Rangers climb seven places on the NPFL table, moving up to 7th position with seven points from four games. Despite the win, they remain five points behind league leaders Remo Stars, who have maintained a perfect start to the season with four wins from four matches, sitting comfortably at the top with 12 points.
Rivers United follow closely in second place, unbeaten on 10 points, while Enyimba FC, with three wins and one loss, occupy third place with nine points.
Rangers will be hoping to build on this result as they aim to close the gap at the top and mount a serious defence of their NPFL title in the coming weeks.